Devotees Restore Lord Nandi Statue at Pune’s Historic Omkareshwar Temple

Reported by Siddhi Dharmadhikari

Pune, 1st November 2024: The historic Omkareshwar Temple, a revered Shiva shrine from the Peshwa era, remains one of Pune’s oldest and most cherished temples, drawing hundreds of visitors daily. Recently, a group of dedicated devotees came together to restore the discolored statue of Lord Nandi as an act of “Seva,” or service.

Speaking to Punekar News, Padmini Panse, founder of MIRA and owner of Café Mhuzo in Goa, shared her thoughts on the project: “Humanity thrives on shared realities, and it’s beautiful to see this connection come alive through our devotion to Lord Nandi.”

Panse explained that the idea took root on an ordinary day with her students. “We decided to visit Omkareshwar Temple, and when we saw Lord Nandi’s discolored statue, we all felt it needed some ‘fixing,’” She said, adding that they began the project shortly after Dussehra.

Panse and her students took it upon themselves to restore the statue as an offering to the temple, with enthusiastic support from the Omkareshwar Devsthan Trust, led by Dhanottam Vasant Lonkar (who is the 8th descendant of Vedmurty Shivrambhat Chitrav who built this temple) and Vishal Gharat.

Alongside Panse, CA Neeraj Panwar, Sacchidanand Vakil, CA Pranav Upadhye, Madhura Herekar Deshpande, Maruti Waghmare, and numerous students and devotees contributed to the restoration effort. The statue, carved from black stone, was in such a worn condition that it required extensive scrubbing, cleaning, and repainting to regain its original beauty.

Panse provided financial assistance for supplies like primer, paint, and brushes, while CA Dhruvin Bhanushali, an artist, generously contributed additional paints needed for the project.

What began as a small initiative quickly gained momentum, with almost a hundred people eventually taking part. Visitors to the temple, including foreign tourists, offered help and joined in the “Seva.” The restoration was celebrated with a special Sandhya Aarti on 28th October, marking the successful completion of a heartfelt collective effort, which now stands as a lasting reminder of devotion and service.

Reflecting on the project, Panse stated, “When we dedicate ourselves to serving others, we make the world a better place. Small acts can accumulate to create something truly meaningful, as shown in this story. It’s time for our generation to honor the legacy of our ancestors and embrace the spirit of service, adding new strength to our heritage wherever possible.”